Senior Buyer / Planner
About The Position
Comfort Research is seeking an experienced Buyer/Planner to support its supply chain by managing material procurement and inventory planning to ensure uninterrupted production and on-time customer delivery. The role combines hands-on purchasing with analytical planning, inventory management, supplier relationship management, and risk mitigation. The Buyer/Planner collaborates across functions to optimize inventory, improve supplier reliability, manage costs, and support company growth initiatives. This is a hybrid position requiring three days per week on-site at Comfort Research’s office at 1719 Elizabeth Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504; remaining workdays may be completed remotely. Candidates should be within commuting distance of the Grand Rapids location. Comfort Research designs and manufactures innovative, affordable furniture sold through retailers including Walmart, Meijer, and Amazon. The company describes its culture as fast-paced, collaborative, and fun, with core values of Finding A Better Way, Doing the Right Thing, and Expecting the Best from Each Other and Ourselves.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Operations, or Supply Chain.
- 5–7 years of professional experience in Supply Chain or Operations.
- At least 5 years of experience in a manufacturing company, with a background in procurement, inventory management, new product development, and planning.
- Advanced knowledge of MS Office software and ERP systems, particularly MS Excel and data analytics.
- Strong analytical, organizational, decision-making, and presentation skills.
- Team-oriented approach and excellent communication skills.
- Ability and willingness to work in a global, multicultural environment, with good interpersonal skills.
Nice To Haves
- APICS certification in supply chain management, such as CPIM or CSCP; not required.
Responsibilities
- Demonstrate Comfort Research’s Core Values in daily actions, task execution, and interactions.
- Use ERP, MRP, and planning tools to procure assigned materials and maintain supply plans that support production and customer demand.
- Monitor demand, inventory, and supplier performance; adjust purchase orders and supply plans to ensure material availability.
- Manage supplier relationships to improve cost, quality, lead times, and on-time delivery performance.
- Identify and implement cost-reduction opportunities through supplier development, sourcing alternatives, and process improvements.
- Drive continuous improvement using ERP systems, AI tools, and automation.
- Analyze data to improve planning accuracy, inventory performance, and procurement efficiency.
- Optimize inventory, safety stock, reorder points, and planning parameters to meet service-level goals while minimizing excess inventory.
- Identify out-of-stock risks, supply constraints, and potential disruptions; develop and execute mitigation plans.
- Review supplier quotations and competitive bids and recommend sourcing decisions based on total cost, quality, risk, and delivery performance.
- Partner with Sourcing, Product Development, and Operations on new product launches, product transitions, and strategic initiatives.
- Coordinate supplier corrective actions and resolution of non-conforming materials, including disposition, credits, and root-cause corrective actions.
- Manage inbound logistics by coordinating with suppliers, freight providers, and customs brokers to ensure timely material delivery.
- Maintain accurate supplier, lead-time, inventory, and planning data in ERP and planning systems.
- Support Supply Chain team goals, KPI targets, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Contribute to a positive, collaborative, and engaging work environment.
- Perform other duties as assigned by leadership.
Benefits
- Generous paid time off plan that begins accruing upon hire for eligible employees.
- Culture Awards program with opportunities to win cash prizes or extra PTO, in addition to company-wide recognition.
- Several paid holidays throughout the year.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Growing family bonus and extra PTO for new parents.
- Referral Bonus program.
- 401(k) program with a generous company match.
- Health insurance plans with company contributions to premiums.
- Dental, vision, and other ancillary insurance coverage options.
- Company-paid short-term disability coverage.
- Company-paid life insurance policy.
- Exclusive employee discounts on Big Joe products.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
